Combination cover and draft control for chimneys



Nov. 10, 1936. w. H. MALONE El m. 2,060,231

COMBINATION COVER AND DRAFT CONTROL FOR CHIMNEYS I Filed on. 1, 1954 v TLC-21%.-

Vilz/ferHiJYa/azze ciames YIZEgJ'e INVENTR 'Ai'TOkNEY Patented Nov. 10, 1936 UNITED STATES COMBINATION COVER AND DRAFT CON- TROL FOR CHIMNEYS Walter H. Malone and James M. Eyre,

Dallas, Tex.

Application October 1,

1 Claim.

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in combination cover and draft control for chimneys and it has particular reference to a device of the character specified particularly adaptable to residential and industrial chimneys.

The principal object of the invention is to provide a cover and damper so associated that the unit may be installed or mounted in an old chimney or during the construction of a chimney.

Another and important object of the present invention is to provide a device to prevent rain, sleet and the like from entering a chimney and due to the peculiar construction of the cover, eddy currents of air are avoided which are inclined to r set up a vacuum and thereby hinder the proper draft through the chimney.

Another object of the invention is to provide a damper as a component part of the structure and being situated near the top of the chimney, a more desirable control of the draft is obtained. The invention likewise provides for the operation of the damper at an accessible point within the room or enclosure into which the chimney or flue opens.

A further object of the invention is to provide a unit by which the objectionable throat of the chimney may be eliminated, the throat being provided in conventional chimneys for the purpose of creating the necessary draft but are objectionable not only from the standpoint that they are not wholly efficient but likewise that they are diflicult to set up.

With the foregoing objects as paramount, the invention has particular reference to its salient features of construction and arrangement of parts which will become manifest as the description proceeds, taken in connection with the accompanying drawing, wherein:

Figure 1 is a fragmentary view of the chimney adjacent the top showing the invention installed. Figure 2 is a View on lines 22 on Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a perspective view of the damper, and

Figure 4 is a detail view of the means by which the damper chain is secured. I

Continuing with a more detailed description the drawing, l designates the usual brick chimney and 2, the air passage therethrough.

The invention consists of the roof or cover 3 which may be of any desired shape or design and which is provided with a plate 4 immediately above the flanged edges 5. This plate is an essential feature of the cover inasmuch as it prevents downward deflection of air currents flowing across the chimney and which would other- 1934, Serial No. 746,279 I wise create eddy currents of air under the cover 3 and thereby interfere with the proper draft through the passage 2.

The cover 3 is supported by the members or legs 8, four of which are usually provided and 5 so shaped as to enter the corners of the rectangular flue passage 2. These legs are preferably constructed of angle iron and may be of any de sired length but in order to dispose the damper l in its proper place relative to the top of the flue passage, it is preferred that the legs 6 be terminated at approximately the third course of bricks from the top of the chimney. Further reference to the damper i will be made presently.

The preferred method of installing the invention is shown in Figures 1 and 2 and consists of a flange 8, welded or otherwise suitably secured to the lower ends of the legs 6. This flange extends outwardly and entirely around the lower ends of the legs. In the case of an old chimney, the first three courses of brick are removed and the flange 8 is set down upon the top of the remaining course, after which the bricks are replaced. The flange 8 will therefore be interposed between the bricks of the third and fourth course. The invention is thus held firmly in place and since the cover 3 extends outwardly on all four sides of the chimney the bond is protected against deterioration and disintegration by the elements.

The damper or draft control i, shown in Figure 3 in detail is of course rectangular in shape so that it will conform to the rectangular flue passage 2. Pivotal arms or pintles 9 are provided at either end of the damper l and it will be noted that these pintles are offset relative to the longitudinal axis of the damper. This is done in order that one side of the damper will be heavier than the other so that the normal position of the damper in the flue will be the open position and it is moved to closed position by means of the chain in which is secured to an eye ll adjacent one end of the damper.

The pintles 9 are journaled in bearings I2 at either end of the rectangle defined by the flanges 8. v

The chain in is passed downwardly through the flue passage 2 and into the fireplace so that it might be accessible to the operator within the room into which the fireplace opens. A securing means for the chain I8 is shown in Figure l in detail and is comprised of an eye or looped member l3 fastened between the brick at some point at the back of the fireplace. It is of course obvious that the chain it] may be extended so that it may be operated from a point other than within the fireplace.

The utility of the invention is apparent in that a more desirable draft is obtained and that a cover is provided to prevent rain and gusts of air from entering the flue passage. It is also apparent that the device will have a decorative of ornamental effect upon the chimney.

Manifestly, the construction shown is capable of considerable modification and such modification as is considered within the scope and meaning of the appended claim is also considered within the spirit and intent of the invention.

What is claimed is:

In a combined cover and draft control for brick chimneys and the like, the combination with said chimney of vertically disposed and relatively parallel uprights, each conforming to a corner of the chimney passage, a substantially L-shaped flanged member in cross-section interconnecting the lower ends of said uprights, the horizontal flange of said member disposed to lie between two courses of the brick of said chimney at a predetermined point below its top to reinforce and support said uprights; a triangular shaped cover in cross-section having a closed undersurface disposed on said uprights and supported thereby, a counter-balanced damper pivotally arranged adjacent the lower ends of said uprights and maintained in normally open position and means below said damp-er for holding the same in closed position.

WALTER H. MALONE.

JAMES M. EYRE. 

